The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 141: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

132 THE FREEMASON’S DAUGHTER. *¢ Thank you, Lizzy, I am quite well.” *““ Not gutte well—or Mr. Crab would let you out —but better. I am so glad, and so will poor Mrs. Bentley, Tim’s Dick, and Tom and Sarah be,” said the child. The two latter were the names of the children of the widow, with whom the old clerk lodged, and who loved him like a father. *‘ ‘They have not forgotten me then ?”’ ‘Oh, no,” resumed Lizzy; “ how could anyone for- get those who are kind to them? and you were very kind. Do you remember the pretty stories you used to tell us, as we crowded round you of an evening—NSarah and I upon your knees, and Tom ready to fill your pipe, or fetch you some gin? Qh, that nasty gin,” added the child, “the doctor says it is all on account of that that you are mad.” ““T am not mad!” said Gridley, impatiently. *“‘ Ain’t you?” replied the girl, doubtfully; “ then why are you here ?”’ ‘¢ Because villany is more powerful than honesty— gold than truth; because Mr. Crab is a mean, hypocri- tical scoundrel, who lends himself to a greater rascal than himself; because my absence or death is necessary to further schemes.” Here the retreating footsteps of the child, whom his burst of violence terrified, and who was fearful of being punished for her surreptitious visit, warned him of the error he had committed. COniiclooecl SS (SO